Green Project - Home Composting System

A Sustainable Solution for Efficient Home Composting

The designers drew inspiration from Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm and Teaching Gardens, a renowned institution in Pleasant Hill, California. Their goal was to create a home composting system that not only efficiently breaks down food waste but also adds an element of design and appeal to the process.

The Green Project consists of two main components: the Kitchen Grinder and the Backyard Composter. The Kitchen Grinder solves the difficult problem of preparing food waste by grinding it into suitable-sized pieces. With an extruded plastic body and a CNC machined stainless steel grinder, it is both durable and efficient.

The Backyard Composter, on the other hand, is a three-bin system designed to speed up the composting process. Its rotating design increases airflow, creating an optimal compost environment. The extruded plastic bins and water sink, along with the die-cut metal frames and bracket, ensure stability and convenience when adding moisture to the compost.

To use the Green Project - Home Composting System, one simply needs to open the Kitchen Grinder lid and put the food waste inside. By rotating the handle, the waste is ground into suitable-sized pieces. The drawer can then be taken to the Backyard Composter to deposit the food waste into the selected compost bin. The retaining pin on the rotating bracket can be moved to allow the entire mechanism to spin on the rod, turning and aerating the compost. Once done, the pin is replaced, locking the bracket into place until the next use.

Not only does the Green Project - Home Composting System provide an efficient solution for composting, but it also adds a touch of elegance to the process. The designers have successfully combined functionality and aesthetics, making composting a more enjoyable and accessible activity for individuals in the Bay Area.

The Green Project - Home Composting System was developed as part of a project at the California College of the Arts, starting in February 2014 and finishing in May 2014. It was later presented at the Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm and Teaching Gardens, where it received positive feedback and recognition.

With its sustainable and eco-friendly design, the Green Project - Home Composting System has been awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Social Design category. This prestigious award recognizes designs that contribute to quality of life improvements and make the world a better place. Han Gao & On Yu Wu's innovative approach to home composting has certainly achieved that.